People, Places & Events
     

 		   Kemp Bluebonnet Festival slated for April 14
Special to The Monitor
KEMP–The Kemp Branch of the Greater Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Second Annual Bluebonnet Festival in the park, in downtown Kemp, Saturday April 14. The festivities begin at 9 a.m. and will run till 5 p.m.
This year an event features Lawn Mower races sponsored by the First National Bank of Kemp. These are not your average lawn mowers. They reach speeds up to 60 mph.
This event is sanctioned by the Lone Star Mower Racing Association. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy an afternoon of racing.
Admission is free. Racing starts at 1 p.m. with the trophy presentation in the park at 4 p.m.
This years Car Show promises to be bigger and better with the location right downtown on Main Street between the First National Bank and the park where the car and trucks will be more accessible for everyone to see and enjoy.
There are 15 classes and the best part is that if you haven’t entered your favorite car or truck you still have time.
The first thirty (30) entrants receive an event t-shirt and a dash plaque
Trophy presentation will be in the park at 3:30 pm. For more information on the Car Show or to enter, contact Richard or Donna at (903) 498-1200.
The volleyball tournament returns. The proceeds from this tournament go to The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake.
This is a four on four tournament. No more than two guys on a team and the cost to enter is $10 per person. Trophies will be presented in the park at the conclusion of the tournament.
For more information or to enter your team, contact Sharon at (903) 880-2201.
There will be plenty of things to see and do throughout the day.
For the little ones there will be face painting, games and even pony rides provided by the Party Ponies.
The amazing Pickle Wheel will be back ( sponsored by Brookshires, Seven Points). Magic Shows, a Dunkin’ Booth, Bingo, an old fashion cake walk, all kinds of food and drinks and lots more.
Don’t forget exhibitors, the park will be full of exhibits with things to see and do for everyone.
If you want to have a space to exhibit, contact Gerrie at (903) 880-2575. There are a few spaces still available. Come be part of this annual event.
There are just a few sponsorship opportunities available. If you or your company would like to be part of this annual event, contact Mark at (903) 880-2482.

 UIL academics participants
Monitor Photo/David Cason
Mabank High School Journalism team (from left) are Candace Caillet, Gus Garfias, Zack Wintin, Bayardo Quintinillo, Mark McDonald, Emily Hyde and teacher-sponsor Tonya Chapman.






 Advancing MHS UIL participants

Monitor Photo/David Cason
AT LEFT – Mabank High School students advancing to Regional UIL competitions to be held at A&M-Commerce April 13 and 14 are (from left) first place prose interpretation Rustin Pool, third place CX debate Carrie Gardner, fifth place accounting Josh Owens and third place accounting David Parry.




Local residents receive black belts
Special to The Monitor
KEMP–Chad and Becky McDonald of Kemp (pictured at left) recently received Black Belts in Tae Kwon Do after a test held at the Williams Contemporary Fighting Arts School in Mabank.
The McDonalds have spent more than five years in training to reach the first degree Black Belt rank. They have spent the last three months in conditioning training to prepare for the test.
Each had to perform the fundamentals of their style of Tae Kwon Do (Song Moo Kwan) and perform self defense techniques while avoiding multiple attackers. Each also performed choreographed forms with the staff or Bo demonstrating proficiency with the weapon.
They were tested in front of several visiting instructors, who have schools around the Metroplex. Each instructor brought some of their best fighters to test the McDonalds and the other students from WCFA.
The McDonalds are now working on their second degree Black Belt, which will require at least two more years of training.
Their goal is third degree Black Belt, which is considered a Masters rank and will require five years of additional training.

Church welcomes new associate pastor
Special to The Monitor
PAYNE SPRINGS–The Payne Springs United Methodist Church welcomes Rev. LaVelle Haynes, newly appointed part-time associate pastor for the church, located at 9667 Street, U.S. Highway 198, Payne Springs.
“The saying that ‘if you want to make God laugh, tell God your plans’ is so true.
“God must be in hysterics after listening to my plans all these years,” Haynes said.
 “After retiring from full time ministry more than three years ago, God has called me to minister to the wonderful folks at Payne Springs United Methodist Church. Pastoral care is my passion,” she said.
  Haynes is an experienced premarital counselor, and also counsels those recovering from divorce and coping with grief.
“I look forward to conducting workshops in the areas of divorce recovery and coping with grief,” she said.
Grief comes from many sources – loss of a relationship, job, marriage, death of a loved one, self-esteem, financial status, social status or identity.
Starting April 15, Haynes will lead a class on the Basics of Methodism during the regular Sunday School hour, 9-10 a.m. in the Education building in the classroom located next door to the Founder’s class.
This class is for all new members, guests and even long time members who might be interested.
Greeters are available to point newcomers in the right direction.
Monday, April 16, a Bible study on the book of Job begins.
There will be two sessions to choose from.
The first session starts at 1 p.m., the second begins at 7 p.m. and will be a repeat of the previous session.
This study continues for about six to eight weeks.
“I am looking forward to serving the Payne Springs United Methodist Church as part-time associate pastor,” Haynes said.
Haynes graduated from Santa Anna High School in Santa Anna, earned an associate’s degree in general studies from Cisco Junior College, Cisco and earned a bachelor’s of science degree in major-speech communication, from Tarleton State University, Stephenville.
Haynes also attended the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.
 Presently, Haynes is an associate member of the Central Texas Conference.
 Churches previously pastored are located in Brownwood, Weatherford, Temple and Waxahachie districts of the Central Texas Conference.
 She is married to the Rev. James L. Haynes (Retired).
Their daughter Becky Widner and husband Lendale live in Kermit.
They also have a granddaughter and a grandson.
 Her hobbies are reading, fishing, traveling and being with family.
 

Come Adopt Us At
The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake
ABOVE–My name is Georgie. I am the sweetest cat ever. I was brought to the Shelter by animal control, so I have no history. My ears have been treated for ear mites, I have tested negative for Leukemia and I have been fixed. I am a wonderful boy looking for a wonderful new start at life.
 		 ABOVE–My name is Buddy. I am a male Black Lab. I am fixed and current on my shots. A gentleman fed me and took me to the vet and had me fixed up. He wasn’t able to keep me, but took care of me as long as he was able to. I am a handsome fella looking for a wonderful forever home.
 
ABOVE–My name is Blue. I am a cute little guy. I was brought to the Shelter by animal control so I have no history. I have been fixed and given my shots. I am an adorable little guy looking for my forever home.
 		 ABOVE–My name is George. I think I may be a Retriever or maybe Husky? I was born January 3. I have been wormed and had 2 of 3 puppy shots. I am very sweet. I am doing well on potty training and am crate trained. I am looking for a forever home.

Pictured are just a few animals at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake in Seven Points in dire need of a good home. Please call or stop by the Humane Society today and rescue one of these forgotten animals. The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake is located on 10220 County Road 2403 in Seven Points. For more information, please call (903) 432-3422 after 11 a.m.
We are closed on Wednesdays.

For further information visit our website at petfinder.com